Coastal Ecology Intern

The Trustees of Reservations • Ipswich, MA

7d • $17 • Onsite

About The Position

Looking to gain meaningful experience in coastal ecology while experiencing the beauty of the Great Salt Marsh? As a Coastal Ecology intern, you’ll make a meaningful contribution to our efforts to monitor and collect critical data around large-scale salt marsh restoration on the North Shore of Massachusetts. As the Coastal Ecology Intern you’ll spend the summer assisting with monitoring, research, and management activities associated with large-scale salt marsh restoration in the Great Marsh–the largest salt marsh ecosystem in New England–on the North Shore of Massachusetts. You’ll work with and support seasonal and permanent staff in the collecting of biological and physical data used to assess restoration goals. Beginning in late May or early June and working through August, you’ll spend 30 hours per week learning about and participating in nature-based salt marsh restoration techniques and exploring the climate change-driven challenges stewardship managers face in coastal areas.

Requirements

• Coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to work alone in the field or remotely as well as with volunteers and the public on occasion
• Ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions
• Ability to perform physically strenuous duties, such as hiking up to several miles throughout a day
• Ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds
• Ability to occasionally work some weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (depending upon wildlife, weather, tides and contractor availability)
• A valid driver’s license and transportation to sites
• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting marsh-nesting bird surveys (preferred)
• Experience with biological data collection and management (preferred)
• Experience with GPS navigation (preferred)
• Experience working with volunteers and/or citizen science programs (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Conduct bird surveys to document habitat quality and use on more than 300 acres of salt marsh including:
• Surveys of breeding birds with a focus on saltmarsh sparrows following established monitoring protocols (i.e., SHARP)
• Monitoring tern foraging activity
• Monitoring non-breeding bird use within salt marsh restoration areas and coordinate volunteer participation as time allows
• Documenting habitat characteristics for saltmarsh sparrow nest sites
• Collect data for breeding mosquitoes on 90 acres of salt marsh
• Collect data on salt marsh restoration projects including ditch remediation, runnels, nesting islands and marsh pools

Benefits

• Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront.
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees